SMALL GROUP ACCOMMODATED SAFARI :An exhilarating 7 day safari, visiting Tanzania's Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park and the vast and beautiful plains of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in search of the Big Five!
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Kilimanjaro to Arusha
Kilimanjaro - Arusha. On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by your driver guide for the short transfer to your lodge, nestled between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or visit the Game Sanctuary that has for many years provided a safe haven to African plains game.
Overnight: Arusha | Dinner
Tarangire National Park
Arusha - Tarangire - Lake Manyara. This morning, wake to the views of Mt Meru before heading down to breakfast. We will then be collected by our driver guide and will traverse the floor of the Great Rift Valley as we head to Tarangire National Park for a game drive.
Tarangire National Park; named after the river that crosses through the park, is Tanzania’s sixth largest park and home to large herds of elephants. Spend the afternoon exploring the park before making your way towards Kirurumu Tented Lodge for dinner and overnight. The lodge is located on the edge of the escarpment wall overlooking Lake Manyara.
Overnight: Lake Manyara National Park | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Serengeti National Park
Lake Manyara - Serengeti National Park. Today we have a long drive through arguably the best game park in the world. We will head to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and then descend into the endless plains of the Serengeti. The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park. Its name means 'endless plain' in the Masai language. It is from here that massive concentrations of wildebeest, zebras and other animals commence the annual Great Migration in search of pastures new, providing one of the greatest natural spectacles to be found anywhere in the world. We can watch golden-maned lions stalking the migrating herds, spot leopards at rest in trees at dusk and there's the option to enjoy a hot-air balloon ride at dawn as the sun’s golden rays illuminate the land.
We meander our way through this famous park with fantastic game viewing as we head towards our tented camp in central Serengeti. The intimate camp offers tranquillity, spectacular wildlife sighting and no better place to take in one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles!
Overnight: Serengeti National Park | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Serengeti game drives
The Serengeti at sunrise is a beautiful sight and one not to be missed. This is also the best time for spotting animals so take advantage of the morning hours for the first game drive of the day. After a morning out, the smell of a cooked breakfast is welcomed as we enjoy a morning under the shade of the trees. Afternoons are normally a lazy affair that end in the late afternoon when the temperatures cool down and the animals start to be active again. Today is no different and we will head out for an evening drive before returning to camp in time to sit around the fire with our dinner.
Overnight: Serengeti National Park | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ngorongoro Highlands
Serengeti - Karatu. After the thrills of the Serengeti, we head out on a full day’s game drive through the Serengeti towards the Ngorongoro Crater, pausing along the way to visit one of the world's most important prehistoric sites - Olduvai Gorge. Here, we learn how the gorge earned its name 'Cradle of Mankind'. On arrival to the Ngorongoro Crater we have the opportunity to drive through the Crater Rim and see the Crater in all its glory. We arrive at the lodge in time for a relaxing drink and a delicious dinner in the lush surroundings.
Overnight: Karatu | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ngorongoro Crater
Karatu - Ngorongoro Crater - Karatu. This morning the Ngorongoro Crater awaits us. The Crater is a conservation area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated 180km west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. After an early breakfast, we will head out towards the Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera, where we experience an amazing game drive on the crater floor filled with wildlife and said to be one of the most thrilling game spotting experiences. The crater won’t leave you disappointed. Back at the lodge it’s time to enjoy our last African sunset and dinner.
Overnight: Karatu | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lake Manyara & Arusha
Karatu - Lake Manyara - Arusha. This morning we visit Lake Manyara National Park whose shores are a shimmer of pink, due to the large flamingo population and it was once dubbed as the ‘loveliest lake in Africa’ by Ernest Hemingway. We spend our final morning in the park on a game drive and if we're lucky we'll see the tree climbing lions that the park is famous for. After eating our lunch boxes, we make our way back to Arusha and depending on your flight details transfer to Arusha Airport.
Alternatively a transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport can be arranged for an additional supplement upon request. Please make sure that onward flights from Arusha Airport are booked AFTER 3pm, and Kilimanjaro Airport are booked AFTER 6pm, or 5pm for domestic flights. Or you can connect onto the beautiful island of Zanzibar for some blissful rest and relaxation.
Breakfast, Lunch
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 persons. This Safari has a maximum group size of 6. The 'Twin Share' price is per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. The 'Single Room' price is applicable to all solo travellers, or if your booking party cannot reach the minimum of 2 persons in a room. Single Rooms can also be booked by any other person wanting the comfort and privacy of their own room.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary, Arusha
Established in 1959 by Dr Von Nagy Mount Meru Game Lodge is still in the hands of the family. It is a beautiful lodge set on the Usa river. Guest rooms are all individually designed with a veranda to sit out on and the suites have a private garden. The lodge is also home to a wildlife sanctuary which is home to a number of zebra, ostrich, a wide array of birds and some Colobus monkeys.
Kirurumu Manyara Tented Lodge, Lake Manyara National Park
The Kirurumu Manyara Lodge is located at the edge of the Rift Valley and offers breathtaking views over the Maasai veld and Lake Manyara. Through its elevated location, the Lodge offers a fantastic panoramic view over the plains of the African escarpment. The 27 safari tents have their own en-suite bathroom with a flushing toilet, a wash basin and shower. Warm water and power are available day and night.
Kati Kati Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park
Camp under the stars where the wild things are at one of the Serengeti's best mobile lodges. Kati Kati Lodge offers comfortable permanent tented accommodation with fantastic al fresco dining. Visits can be made to the local Maasai tribal villages and if you fancy just staying around the camp then a few aperitifs around the camp fire can be arranged. Sundowners after a wonderful game drive are our top tip. This gorgeous accommodation is located in the Serengeti National Park just a 2 hour drive from the magnificent Olduvai Gorge.
Acacia Farm Lodge, Karatu
Commanding panoramic views of the Karatu farmlands from its postion on the spectacular Great Rift escarpment, the elegant Acacia Farm Lodge is the perfect base from which to explore Tanzania's world-famous reserves. The contemporary African styled chalets are well-appointed with WiFi and private balconies for sunset views across the farm. After a day on safari enjoy fine dining with a choice of wines from the lodge's own cellar or relax in the swimming pool and bar area. The Acacia Farm Lodge is strategically located between the Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks on one side and Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park on the other.
In Brief
Extra Tour Info
Wonderful trip and highly recommend
Amazing value ”